Harrison-Charlo Rematch Ordered By WBC

Less than a month after a controversial win for Tony Harrison, the new WBC super welterweight champion has been ordered to have a rematch with Jermell Charlo.

The former champion was considered to be the aggressor throughout the full twelve round title fight, but the judges would see it differently, as Harrison would sweep the scorecards 116-112 and 115-113 twice.

A final eliminator was initially set for top challengers Julian Williams and Erislandy Lara, but would be cancelled after both fighters withdrew to take other fights. Lara is now set to fight Brian Castano in March for the WBA “regular” title, and Williams to face unified WBA, IBO, and IBF champion Jarrett Hurd.

The cancellation of Lara-Williams opened the door to the immediate rematch and a new eliminator between Sergey Vorobiev and Hassan Mwakinyo.

“You know they took that fight from me,” said Charlo, who took his first professional loss. “I was there, pushing the action the whole time. He was moving around just going to the jab, one or two punches. He didn’t win that fight. He knows I won that fight.”

“I grinded. I grinded, I grinded and I grinded,” Harrison said after the fight. “I showed championship composure. I didn’t have to do much. I used my jab. I used my ring generalship. I kept him at bay.”